Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) are related services under Part B of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and are provided to help a student with a disability to benefit from special education. As such, they are supportive services. OT/PT are designed to enhance the student's ability to fully access and be successful in the learning environment. If your child has a disability, as defined by IDEA, and needs special education and related services to meet unique learning needs, then he/she might be eligible for these services. Your child must be eligible for special education before being considered for OT/PT services in the schools under IDEA.

Eligibility for special education does not mean automatic eligibility for related services. Occupational therapy and physical therapy evaluations are conducted to determine a student's present level of performance and function at school. These evaluations assist the IEP team in determining a student's strengths and needs in the educational environment. The final determination for services is made by the multidisciplinary team in conjunction with the OT/PT evaluation results.

School-based therapy is designed to enhance the student's ability to fully access and be successful in the learning environment. Therapy services in the schools are delivered in the manner that is least disruptive to the student’s educational experience. School based therapy is often provided via consultation or through a push in/pull out model addressing what will most efficiently facilitate functional performance within the school environment. Despite the presence of a disability, the focus of intervention is NOT on remediation but rather, it is on enabling a student to make effective school progress in the least restrictive environment. These services are provided by a qualified occupational or physical therapist.

The Randolph County School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Marty Trotter, Title IX Coordinator, and Edwina Ashworth, Section 504 Coordinator, 2222-C South Fayetteville St. Asheboro, NC 27205 Phone: 336-633-5000.

The Randolph County School System is committed to ensuring that all web users can access its web content. If you have difficulty accessing information on our website due to a disability, please contact us at tmoody@randolph.k12.nc.us and provide the URL (web address) of the material you tried to access, the problem you experienced, and your contact information.